How do you stay interested in guitar once the days of gigging are over?

[Chris6870]

I gave up gigging about a year ago. I notice my interest in playing guitar is fading. No new material to learn, no rehearsals, don't need any new gear. What do you do to keep it interesting?

 

[NinjaRaf]

I always have a need to create and write, so even without a band and playing shows, I'm still writing riffs and songs. It can be tough to find time with a 55-60 hr work week, but there's no way I could ever stop playing. My band hasn't had a drummer for over a year, until recently, and haven't played out in all that time. Definitely something missing without playing out, but it hasn't stopped me from playing as much as possible and writing new stuff.

 

[Dale B]

I mainly concentrate on sharing the gift of all tube tone with as many neighbors as possible. Rip Glitter would be proud!

 

[shar-vell Dan]

To "play guitar" you just pick one up. Has nothing to do w/ serenading drunks.
TBH the whole "gig" thing in 2025 is pretty lame.
70's & 80's we would rent a flatbed, pass out fliers, buy 20 kegs & 500 people would show.
That ship has sailed.

 

[Floyd Eye]

By selling a large chunk of your stuff, including your bad ass PA rig, spending that money on Israeli shotguns, German ARs and a shit ton of ammo.
That’s how I did it anyway.

 

[Findthetone1]

I'll let you know when I figure it out. My desire to play has dropped drastically in the last few years.

 

[DanTravis62]

If you don't have a band, write.

Do demos. Even just quickly record riff ideas.

Each one is putting money in the bank for when you get back into it.

 

[SFW]

I'm about to find out. lol! Did my last gig with the tribute band I was in last week. Need a break from the "team sports" drama.

 

[DanTravis62]

I'm about to find out. lol! Did my last gig with the tribute band I was in last week. Need a break from the "team sports" drama.

We've all been there brother XD

Take some time and don't jump back in until it will be fun

 

[SFW]

We've all been there brother XD

Take some time and don't jump back in until it will be fun

That's the plan. Take some time. Write some tunes. The covers gig was fun, but I much prefer to play my own music.

 

[romanianreaper]

If you don't have a band, write.

Do demos. Even just quickly record riff ideas.

Each one is putting money in the bank for when you get back into it.

This!!

 

[japetus]

Me and @shar-vell Dan are starting a RATT cover band called TTAR.

 

[romanianreaper]

Years ago I thought my gigging days were over. I was in my 40s, done with the military and just had my Axe-Fx II and was recording music at home and just playing it for friends, etc.

Around 2019, some friends and I from work started jamming and having a few beers for fun. Then two years ago, a gig opportunity came up and we said screw it, let's play.

Fast forward to now and at 55 years old, I'm gigging in a band doing punk influenced rock and we are just having fun. We just played with a few other bands and got to open for Trixter. Just keep creating man!

 

[sytharnia1560]

yeah it's a struggle .. I haven't played in a band in years but would constantly be writing and recording songs, but am now at the stage where I have zero creative juices flowing (I do still come up with new riffs almost daily) so I really don't have the drive to record the songs I have written beyond recording rough guitars and and lyrics.

so most of my guitar playing now is just while sitting on the couch watching TV .. which is a shame given I have my ultimate sounding rig haha

 

[CarlF]

To "play guitar" you just pick one up. Has nothing to do w/ serenading drunks.
TBH the whole "gig" thing in 2025 is pretty lame.
70's & 80's we would rent a flatbed, pass out fliers, buy 20 kegs & 500 people would show.
That ship has sailed.

100% absolutely

 

[RaceU4her]

i built my studio to record my own stuff

 

[TheGreatGreen]

If you don’t like playing for its own sake, then maybe it’s time to put the instrument down and go do something else for a while.

Forcing it seems like the last thing you’d want to do to keep it enjoyable.

Personally I keep things interesting for myself by buying gear that I think is so awesome that just firing it up and hearing some chords and palm mutes is enough to give me the fizz.

 

[romanianreaper]

If you don’t like playing for its own sake, then maybe it’s time to put the instrument down and go do something else for a while.

Forcing it seems like the last thing you’d want to do to keep it enjoyable.

Personally I keep things interesting for myself by buying gear that I think is so awesome that just firing it up and hearing some chords and palm mutes is enough to give me the fizz.

That is actually a good suggestion. I do art and that is a good other hobby for me. I like to draw and just create. Good for the brain.

 

[Geo]

Putting down for a while is OK, sometimes it's necessary.

But, you will get the urge again.

 

[Maguchi]

It's like heroin, once it gets in your veins the urge is always there.